Alles Klar, Herr Kommissar?

We already had the mystery prisons and the torture. Now we get the political officers. I wonder if they get to wear little peaked caps?

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 — President Bush has signed a directive that gives the White House much greater control over the rules and policy statements that the government develops to protect public health, safety, the environment, civil rights and privacy.

In an executive order published last week in the Federal Register, Mr. Bush said that each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee, to supervise the development of rules and documents providing guidance to regulated industries. The White House will thus have a gatekeeper in each agency to analyze the costs and the benefits of new rules and to make sure the agencies carry out the president’s priorities.

This strengthens the hand of the White House in shaping rules that have, in the past, often been generated by civil servants and scientific experts.

Once upon a time we had a Congress that passed legislation that determined what the rules were for public safety, the environment, civil rights and privacy. Mr. Bush believes he gets to determine these things, and is going to make sure he has people in place to make sure it happens, or doesn't happen, the way he chooses. A political officer, to make sure the bureaucrats follow party doctrine 'presidential priorities'.

Welcome to the New Soviet.